Matsunaga EMW Laboratory

As November 23rd coincides with the fourth Thursday of November this year, it shares the date with the American Thanksgiving holiday. This coincidence spurred my curiosity to delve deeper into the origins of Japan’s Labor Thanksgiving Day and Thanksgiving, as well as the subsequent Black Friday sales.

Labor Thanksgiving Day in Japan stems from an ancient harvest festival known as Niiname-sai, celebrating the autumn harvest and expressing gratitude for blessings and national prosperity. In contrast, American Thanksgiving is said to originate from an event where pilgrims celebrated their first harvest with the indigenous people, placing significant importance on gathering with family and friends for a meal.

Upon comparison, it becomes evident that both festivals share a common thread of celebrating the harvest and hoping for abundance. Given that both occur in autumn and considering the reliance on climate for a bountiful grain harvest, it's natural that similar customs exist worldwide.

While the origins and historical backgrounds have similarities, the way each culture celebrates these days is quite fascinating. In Japan, as the name suggests, there is an emphasis on appreciating everyone who contributes to society through labor, highlighting the importance of work. Meanwhile, in America, the focus is on gathering with family and friends for a specific meal. This reflects the tendency of Japanese culture towards collectivism, whereas American (Western) culture leans more towards individualism. However, it’s important to note that both cultures are complex and cannot be simplified into these single aspects.

Post-holiday, we look forward to the Black Friday sales. In Japan, about ten years ago, we started hearing about these sales, primarily introduced by foreign online retailers like Amazon and nationwide shopping malls. Japanese people, fond of festivals, seem to embrace these events regardless of their origin, creating various promotional activities. Ten years ago, the meaning of Black Friday and the reason for sales were not widely known, but in recent years, it’s become recognized as the day for the year's best shopping deals.

Personally, I eagerly await Black Friday sales for significant discounts on essential and luxury electronics. Many online stores start their sales at midnight on the 24th, and I’m already excited.

A personal experience to share: Traveling to the U.S. during Christmas or Thanksgiving holiday weeks can be quite challenging. Forgetting American culture and events and trying to schedule business trips during Japanese holidays means business is practically impossible, which is amusing in retrospect. While I thought of holidays as an opportunity for non-duty business endeavors (am I alone in this?), everyone I met was excited about the sales.

So, enjoy the holidays and the sales in your own way!

"Having ChatGPT draw pictures is quite a challenge... Especially images related to Japanese culture are not its strong suit..."

I moved to Hamamatsu two and a half years ago. At that time, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was difficult to adapt to the new environment, and I never really got the chance to write in detail about Hamamatsu. However, today I would like to introduce the charms of Hamamatsu.

When people think of Hamamatsu, many probably think of eels from Lake Hamana. As a big eel enthusiast myself, I went to eat eel on the day I moved here. My hometown, Fukuoka, is also known for its delicious eels. In fact, about 60% of the domestically consumed eels in Japan are produced in Kagoshima and Miyazaki, but Fukuoka is also a major production area. Therefore, you can say I have a discerning taste for eels. However, it's interesting to note that Shizuoka Prefecture, where Hamamatsu is located, ranks fourth in eel production in Japan, accounting for only 9% of the market, which was unexpectedly low.

Regarding eel cooking methods, the difference between Kanto (Eastern Japan) style and Kansai (Western Japan) style often comes up in discussions. Personally, I prefer tasty food regardless of the regional cooking style. Horie Takafumi, who is also from Fukuoka, once mentioned that the best eel dishes are those from one's hometown. It seems that the taste of eel heavily depends on the cooking method, and preferences vary among individuals.

In Hamamatsu, there are eel restaurants that serve both Kanto and Kansai styles, as well as a mix of both. Generally, the Kanto style involves steaming and then grilling the eel that's cut open from the back, while the Kansai style mainly involves grilling the belly-cut eel. I have tried the Kanto-style "Unaju" (eel over rice) at a famous restaurant in Ginza, but unfortunately, it did not suit my taste. The biggest disappointment since moving to Hamamatsu has been that I haven’t yet found an Unaju that truly impresses me. Incidentally, in Shizuoka, Kanto-style natto is sold, but I find that the sauce that comes with it doesn't suit my taste. This might also influence my preference for eel sauce.

Speaking of food, a local family restaurant chain named "Sawayaka" is famous here. I had no idea about it until a friend told me. Their branch in the Gotemba Outlet Mall is particularly popular, with waiting tickets being distributed as soon as it opens. Sawayaka is exclusive to Shizuoka Prefecture, and its main store is located in Fukuroi City, about 30 minutes by car from Hamamatsu.

It is popular among teenagers and college students, especially on weekend and holiday evenings, but it is also frequented by a wide range of age groups. The specialty of the house is the hamburger steak, available in "Genco" (fist-sized) and "Onigiri" (rice ball-sized) portions, served on a hot iron plate. Some notable features include: firstly, they offer rare hamburger steaks and explain that it's safe to eat because they use 100% domestic beef without fillers. Secondly, the round hamburger steak is served on an iron plate, and they provide large paper placemats to protect from sauce splatters. If you're concerned about the doneness, they offer to change the hot plate. This was impressive to me, especially since they also replace the hot vegetable side dishes, such as carrots, potatoes, and broccoli, onto the new hot plate.

Lastly, I would like to mention the Blue Impulse, a symbol of Hamamatsu. They used to belong to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force Hamamatsu Base but have since moved to Matsushima Base. An air festival is held in Hamamatsu every October, and this year, after being suspended due to the pandemic, it was lively again. Fortunately, I can enjoy the Blue Impulse show from near my home, reminiscent of the air show I used to watch in Seattle while studying at the University of Washington.

The 'Star Cross' formation created in the sky by the Blue Impulse. Visible towards the upper right of the center is the vertical ascent bloom drawn just before forming the star.

In this blog, I have consistently focused on the importance of respecting individual will and affirming diversity in society. Recognizing and valuing the different perspectives each person holds is fundamental to a cohesive society. However, there are aspects of individual will that can be challenging to accept.

Drawing from my experience as a university professor, I've encountered a number of students who strongly prefer not to study. Personally, I view this as a legitimate choice of individual freedom and respect it. The problem arises when students demand, "I don’t want to do assignments, but I still want to graduate." Such demands exceed the bounds of respecting individual will and verge on coercion.

Universities have graduation requirements that cannot be altered by a student’s personal preferences. If these requirements are not met, graduation is not possible. It's important for students who choose not to study to understand and accept the consequences of their decisions. Additionally, exerting undue pressure on faculty members in this context can constitute harassment.

Similarly, the issue of parental pressure is concerning. For example, when I respect a student’s decision not to study and encourage them to rethink their future, some parents exert pressure, insisting, "Instruct them to study." This behavior not only imposes the parents’ will on the faculty but also unfairly interferes with the student's autonomy.

Lastly, I'd like to address a question about raising children. To nurture a child who thinks and acts independently, it's vital to listen to them and respect their choices. Although it might be challenging at times, actively participating in their developmental process is crucial for their growth.

In the fall of 2023, a remarkable new drama series caught the attention of Japan's TV industry. Titled "The Flower I Love the Most," this original work, without a pre-existing source material, delves into the theme of whether friendship between men and women is possible. The production, led by scriptwriters and producers who had previously sparked social phenomena, focuses on how this challenging issue is conveyed to society.

Approaching Social Issues

This drama goes beyond mere entertainment, with an apparent intent to address something significant to society. Its availability on free video streaming sites makes it accessible and adds to my anticipation every week. While the theme of the drama focuses on friendships between men and women, to me, it resonates more profoundly with the theme of "understanding and embracing diversity."

Personal Experiences and Empathy

From my experiences, I believe that friendships between men and women can indeed exist. I have many male friends, some of whom have even invited me to their weddings as a groom's friend or asked me to give a speech. These experiences prove that friendships can transcend gender boundaries.

However, as depicted in the drama, such friendships can sometimes be marred by misunderstandings and baseless rumors. Despite these challenges, I am grateful for these friendships.

Understanding and Embracing Diversity

When considering the importance of diversity, it's essential to respect individual will and to avoid homogenization. My experience as a university faculty member has made me acutely aware of the challenges in balancing personal will and education.

Evolving Understanding of Sexual Harassment

Respecting individual will also relates to the evolving understanding of sexual harassment. Actions that impose one's will on others, such as the belief that women should behave in a certain way or satisfying sexual desires, constitute sexual harassment. This understanding contributes to the development of a culture that respects individual will.

The Importance of Self-Expression

Lastly, I want to touch on the importance of having one's own opinions. The increasing number of students who are unable to express their thoughts indicates the need for respecting individual opinions. For effective self-expression, it's crucial to avoid imposing one's thoughts on others.

Conclusion

Through "The Flower I Love the Most," I feel that more people are striving to bring to the forefront the understanding of friendships between men and women and embracing diversity. By respecting individual will and accepting diversity, we can build a richer society. I look forward to each weekly episode and the impact this drama will continue to make.